It's still six months away, but since 24pretty much kicked ass in the seventh season--well, because it failedto in the sixth--suddenly the anticipation for the eighth is higherthan it should be. And it's a good thing. If you have big namesjoining your show, and are coming off a resurgence of sorts, then youmust be feeling comfortable--at least until the bombs start exploding. Here, then, are some more details about what could happen on theupcoming season of the show, collected from a handful of places and puttogether... because we can. Somehow. If you don't want details, go skip this now, quick!

First up, Kiefer Sutherland, who talked to Entertainment Tonight and spilled some bits about what we should expect in the new season, which premieres in January. "One of the things that's exciting about season eight for us,which is different from all the other seasons is it's directlyconnected to the end of season seven," he said. "Normally there's ayear or two break between seasons, between story lines--and this yearthat is not the case."

And the fact that they're shooting in NewYork has given the series a boost of sorts, too. "There's a realtangible energy you can't deny that about New York City," he said. "The situations have always made Jack Bauer speak really quickly, and now he runs really quickly because in New York you've got to do that."

Thelatest season, he says, has the most realistic storyline they've donein the show. "It centers around peace conferences taking place at theUN between the president of Iran and the President of the UnitedStates, which I believe is possible within the next fewyears," he told TV Guide Magazine. "Obviously there will be a lot of people who will want to fight that. This is about fighting off that threat to peace."

Switching back to ET,there's Freddie Prinze Jr., who takes a serious turn as new CTU agentCole Ortiz. (Note, the name was changed from when it was firstannounced.) "It's trial by fire, but it's good so far," he told theshow. "It's been a lot of fun. I'm scared to say it's the best jobI've ever had, but right now, it feels like the best job I've ever had."

In a separate interview with TV Guide Magazine,he spills a bit about what his character is about to face--and whilemost of it's stuff we already know, well, here it is anyway. "There'sa moment between my character, who runs field ops, and [KateeSackhoff's] character, Dana Walsh, who runs the tech side of things,"he said. "They're engaged and it's difficult having a relationship atwork when the stakes are so high. They're having some problems that Ireally can't get into. You see that somebody's holding thingsback--maybe she has a secret which he has to concern himself with. He's a Marine and he bases everything on having a plan with acoordinated attack. There's an interesting dynamic on how he's goingto deal with her."

Also talking to the magazine is Anil Kapoor, the first high-profile new member of this season's cast: the Slumdog Millionairestar will play Middle Eastern politician Omar Hassan. "I have onescene in a car with my bodyguard," he said. "Suddenly I'm sendingmessages to my country to say people [behind an assassination attempton his character's life] have to be taken to task and arrested. I cansense that the bodyguard is uncomfortable and the way that the sceneprogresses is very dramatic. I speak about the peace process, myyounger brother Akbar and my family. It's a catharsis for mycharacter."

Speaking of a family, he's got his family and another girlfriend. Omar, Omar, Omar.

Finally, Mary Lynn Rajskubhints at some problems ego-wise at the resurrected CTU. "Chloe is notup to speed in the new CTU, which is very different for her," shesaid. "[Katee] plays my new boss, and she kind of pats me on theshoulder and says, 'Don't worry--you'll catch up,' which is the worstmoment for Chloe ever. Everything's changed at CTU and my bosses arelooking at me like I'm not doing it right. But then something happensin the story where I think I know some information which pits me atodds with my bosses."

Must be something with the new CTUoffices, which is "like a spaceship," Rajskub said. "It's sleek with alot of glass, and underground with a tunnel you drive through to getinto it. I feel kind of like Batgirl."